By Edi Umoh
Sadio Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt on Wednesday in their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Tangiers.
Senegal dominated possession against cautious Egypt and will face hosts Morocco or Nigeria on Sunday in the final.
Champions in 2021, Senegal had the vast majority of possession and chances in a tight, often heated, semi-final. Egypt had just two shots in the entire match as they paid the price for an overly defensive approach.
Mane who was Senegal’s hero against Egypt once again scored the winning penalty in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt.
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He also scored the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup play-offs, which also came against Mohammed Salah’s side.
Salah had scored four goals in Egypt’s run to the semi-finals, his best haul at an Afcon, but was largely anonymous as the North Africans failed to test Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy until Omar Marmoush had a long-range effort saved in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Pape Thiaw’s side will face either Nigeria or Morocco in the final on Sunday (19:00 GMT), with the West Africans taking on the hosts in Wednesday’s second semi-final in Rabat (20:00 GMT).
Senegal will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra for the final after both players picked up a second caution in the knockout stage – although Koulibaly may not be fit anyway after being forced off midway through the first half.
